Steelers glaring weakness shows signs of hope in preseason win

This position group showed more promise than anyone could have imagined.
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Roc Taylor
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Roc Taylor | Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Tell me if you have heard this before: The Pittsburgh Steelers have a major issue at wide receiver outside of DK Metcalf. It has been harped on ever since they sent George Pickens packing after the NFL draft, and not much has been done to replace his spot in the lineup.

It's easy to say that Arthur Smith's offense makes the No. 2 receiver spot less of an issue, especially with the embarrassment of riches the Pittsburgh now has at tight end, but that doesn't mean they can get away with trotting just anybody out there. There have been too many mediocre receivers getting major snaps for this team over the last few years.

Luckily for Steelers' fans, the entire receiving depth chart showed up in a huge way in the preseason opener against the Jaguars, and it could mean that one of their biggest question marks is suddenly a non-issue.

Pittsburgh Steelers' wide receivers dominated the Jaguars secondary in preseason win

With no DK Metcalf or Calvin Austin III in the lineup, it was all about the depth for the Steelers at receiver. 2024 third-round pick Roman Wilson was the most notable player out there, and he made his presence felt right away with two receptions for 24 yards on the opening drive. It continued what has been a strong week for the young playmaker.

Veteran backups Ben Skowronek and Robert Woods each chipped in a short reception, but it was Scotty Miller who paced the receiving corps in catches with four for 47 yards. He did most of that damage on the Steelers' second touchdown drive to end the first half.

Maybe the most surprising contributor at wide receiver was Max Hurleman, an undrafted rookie who played on both sides of the ball in college (take that, Travis Hunter). He made a spectacular catch to set the Steelers up in the redzone before cashing in the touchdown, which he celebrated in impressive fashion.

Fellow undrafted rookie Roc Taylor had two nice receptions for 38 yards as well, and yet another UDFA in Ke'Shawn Williams actually led the team with 55 yards on just two catches, including a 26-yard touchdown reception.

Overall, the wide receivers racked up 18 receptions for 226 yards and two scores. That is an impressive output for a preseason game, especially when the quarterback for the majority of the game was Skylar Thompson. Time will tell if they can keep this level of play up going into the regular season, but it's hard to be anything other than impressed by this group's first impression.

More Steelers News and Analysis